Reported high-speed chase ends with crash on Raleigh Beltline
RALEIGH -- A reported high-speed chase ended with a crash on the Beltline in west Raleigh early Tuesday.
The incident started just before midnight when the State Highway Patrol clocked a 2005 black Chevrolet SUV going almost 80 in a 60 mph speed zone on I-440 near Ridge Road.
Highway Patrol attempted to pull over the driver, 30-year-old Dominic Cooley, but the he sped up and lost control. The SUV went into the right shoulder of I-440, and ended up across the roadway before striking a guardrail.
The vehicle then overturned before landing in the median on I-440 near the Wade Avenue exit.
Police said Cooley tried to escape the scene on foot, but was quickly captured by troopers. A woman riding in the SUV was pinned inside.
Cooley and that passenger, Christa Steadwell, were taken to Wake Medical Center with non-life threatening injuries.
Cooley has been charged with assault with a deadly weapon (his vehicle) on a law enforcement officer, speeding 81 mph in a posted 60 mph speed zone, felony speeding to elude arrest, driving while license revoked, and failure to maintain lane control. He was also wanted by the US Marshals Office.
No other vehicles were involved in the accident and no law enforcement officers were injured.
Authorities had to close the roadway for almost two hours, but a detour was set up at Exit 3 as crews worked to clear the scene.
